We just purchased a Metro Vac n' Blo for use on our 4 pasture ornaments. We live in an area with VERY low humidity, and the vacuum builds up loads of static and shocks the horses. Does anyone have any safe, creative ways to redirect the static? The MetroVacWorld site didn't have any solutions. The nozzle and hose are plastic, body of vac is metal. Thanks!

 Ground yourself and the vaccuum nozzle every few seconds; it will be a pain, but it will redirect the static.

You could also buy a couple boxes of cheap fabric softener sheets; they take the static out of clothes, and can do the same for your horses coats, cutting back on the shocking. 

I bought the same vac last year and the same thing happened to me and the horses during the dry (low humidity)fall/winter - VERY annoying and the horses began to get a bit cringe-y and spooky from the vac head, sort of anticipating their shocks.  And I got tired of getting shocked all the time.  Before I bought this new Metro Vac n' Blo, I had a cheap shop vac that I got at sears and then purchased a vacuum brush head from a horse catalog advertised " can be attched to any regular vac hose".  I was at a self care barn and all of us used that sears vac and horse vac brush for few years and NEVER had any shocking problems.  That brush head was made of like a polypropylene plastic with had soft rubber teeth on the grooming surface.  The Metro vac tools appear to all be a polystyrene-type plastic - no soft rubber anywhere - and it REALLY does generate a lot of static electricity.  I am at a new self care barn. I left the Sears vac/brush behind for the other boarders at old place, and I bought the new Metro vac for use at the new barn.  I am really disappointed in it as I have not been able to solve the static electricity shocking problem in what is the muddiest time of year in my area (need max vacuum use).  I tried the grounding myself periodically before touching the horse again, but that doesn't work well- every 2 strokes on the horse bring more shocks.  I even attached a thin metal wire, wrapped around the vac hose and touching the dirt floor/rubber grooming mats near where the vac is hanging on the wall in an effort to ground it, but that did not work either.  My next plan is to simply buy one of the same type of universal horse grooming vac heads like we had on the Sears shop vac and use that on the end of the Metro vac hose; will see if that works.  I think the universal vac head might be sold in Country Supply, or United Vet Equine, or maybe Jeffers.... I've got to look for it online.  Metro really needs to think of making at least one grooming head for their vac out of some material that will minimize static electricity buildup.  I've been meaning to write them about it.  I think the static problem is HUGE and makes what is otherwise a great vacuum less useful.

I had the same trouble with a house vacuum that I had.  Every once in awhile I would make contact with the hose, and WHAP!  It is REALLY annoying.  I had a metal link dog collar hanging from it dragging on the floor, but that only helped a little bit.  I ended up getting a new vacuum.

The metal wire might work better if it was making a very solid contact with the ground, or the body of the vacuum on the ground.  When it is on a rubber mat, it is insulated and the charge will go to the path of least resistance.  Try to make sure that that path ISN'T the horse...  Maybe put horse on mats, you and vac body on dirt or concrete.  That is a really sucky problem for a horse vac to have....  I would definitely let them know it. 

Sorta related, I hate when I get zapped at the store because of the static generated by the cart wheels.  I have to touch the cardboard boxes or something not metal or plastic every few feet.  People look at me funny, like I am Mrs Monk or something

I have not used an equine vacuum, but have had static problems during periods of low humidity, especially with a cold wind at the same time.  My vet recommended using dryer sheets, rubbing them over my horse.  This does work well, and can make your horse smell good too.  I have also discovered  a good spray in conditioner that repels static as well as being a great mane detangler, made by Quic.  Using those, and natural bristle brushes only, has solved the problem for me.

Lightly spray the horse with an oil based spray, such as Show Sheen or any of the sprays that leave a shine.  Also spray the end of the hose with the spray.  This will prevent the static electricity and prevent shocking the horse.